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To call The Body Shop a mere skin and body care store is to miss half of what makes it special. Late founder Dame Anita Roddick was a pioneer for ethical business practices; upon opening her first store in Brighton, England, in 1976, she developed company values such as "Defend Human Rights" and "Protect The Planet." She somehow balanced principles and profit, partnering in global campaigns with UNICEF, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, all while ultimately expanding her brand into 2,500 locations in over 60 international markets. After her death in 2007, then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, ?She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market. . . . She was an inspiration.?
Indeed, the Body Shop exhibits an eco-friendliness and social consciousness that's hard to come by in a company of its size. Its products have been fair-trade since 1987, and its Against Animal Testing movement led to an EU-wide ban of animal testing of cosmetics. The products are made from ingredients harvested from around the world: shea butter from Ghana goes into body scrubs and butters, and Indian artisans craft wooden massagers and tote bags that are screenprinted by hand. But all that isn't to say the company's production practices overshadow its final products. Skincare treatments such as the brand?s iconic body butters, facial products, and gift collections often appear in Allure, Marie Claire, Lucky, Seventeen and other national publications.

Though their disciplines and specialties may vary, the team at Aletris Center agrees that the true definition of health is more far-reaching, and more complex, than a mere lack of disease. The goal at their center is to combine natural and alternative medicine with the best of conventional healthcare available. They apply this preventative, comprehensive, naturopathic philosophy to an extensive roster of ailments from acid reflux to weight gain.
As the staff members' backgrounds vary, so do the treatments they offer, which include acupuncture, holistic pelvic care, chiropractic care, and colon hydrotherapy. Other specialties include naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, and pediatrics.

Dr. Diana Batoon?the wizard behind the curtain at Bonita Dental? refurbishes smiles using her expertise in dental-implant restoration, TMJ, and full-mouth rehabilitation. She also performs cosmetic treatments that get people smiling again, including brightening teeth with Invisalign treatments and hiding unsightly chips and major stains with porcelain veneers. When she is not in the office, Dr. Batoon takes her expertise to the streets by spreading the importance of good oral health during seminars and particularly long elevator rides.

Even though the calendar only reserves one day each for Mardi Gras and Halloween, Mardi Gras Costume Shop celebrates the holidays year-round. Specializing in theatre-quality costumes and accessories, the store fills its wardrobe with festive items ranging from petticoats and corsets to extravagant masks inspired by Italy's commedia dell'arte. Those looking to transform themselves for All Hallow's Eve can choose from a colorful gallery of characters not often found at other shops; selections run the gamut from animals to caricatures of politicians. No matter their needs, customers can always count on advice from the shop's well-trained, expert staff.

Self-confidence comes from within, but that doesn’t mean that it can't get some help from outside. At Vitality Aesthetics Institute, medical director Dr. Charles Ben Evans and Sarah Vogt, MSN—a certified medical injector, laser technician, and aesthetician—use cutting-edge medspa technology to give clients that extra boost in confidence by delivering dramatic cosmetic changes. CoolSculpting procedures help eliminate hard-to-lose fat deposits without resorting to invasive surgery. The center's Cutera cosmetic laser systems revitalize skin tone and texture by zapping unwanted stubble or by minimizing any signs of age spots and large pores. For a youth-infused visage, Botox and Juvederm injections smooth out the wrinkles and frown lines that appear on aging skin.